Cardiopulmonary Services
 Advances in technology make it possible to help patients get well in ways that were impossible years ago. Respiratory therapists in our Cardioplumonary Service Department, work with sophisticated medical equipment like mechanical ventilators that breathe for people who can't breathe on their own. They are the go-to experts in the hospital for respiratory care. They understand how to apply high-tech devices in the care and treatment of patients, how to assess patients to ensure that treatments are working properly, and how to make care changes necessary to arrive at the best outcome for the patient.
Services are available Monday-Friday from 8:00am – 4:30pm for outpatients and every day for inpatients.
“Respiratory Care” is defined as an allied health specialty in the treatment, management, control, and diagnostic evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities with the cardiopulmonary system.
Services include:
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Diagnosing lung and breathing disorders and recommending treatment methods
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Interviewing patients and doing chest physical exams to determine what kind of therapy is best for their conditions.
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Consulting with physicians to recommend a change in therapy, based on evaluation of the patient
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Analyzing breath, tissue, and blood specimens to determine levels of oxygen and other gases.
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Managing ventilators and artificial airway devices for patients who can't breathe normally on their own.
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Responding to Code Blues where CPR is necessary for patients in crisis
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Educating patients and their families about lung disease so they can maximize their recovery.
Respiratory therapists provide the hands-on care that helps people recover from a wide range of medical conditions. Our therapists get to know their patients, and their patients’ families, and have the opportunity to help them through trying times. Whenever breathing is an issue, they are there. They may be found:
- Giving breathing treatments to people with asthma and other respiratory conditions.
- In intensive care units managing ventilators that keep the critically ill alive.
- In emergency rooms delivering life-saving treatments.
- In newborn and pediatric units helping kids with conditions ranging from premature birth to cystic fibrosis.
- In smoking cessation programs assisting those who want to kick the habit for good.
- In case management programs helping devise long-term care plans for patients.
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